Studio A was designed by the legendary audio architect and recording studio designer, John Storyk , of WSDG Walters-Storyk Design Group and constructed by Rob Chalmers of R. L. C. Management, L. L.C. for Balance Studios and Grammy Award winning Producer, Dave Fortman. Shortly after, the studio was taken over and run for the next 15 years by Master Engineer Jonathon Treeby. Rabadash Records took over in August of 2021, interfacing the heart and soul, our Vintage Harrison Analogue 32/48 Console, see BRUCE SWEDIEN AND THE HARRISON 32C SERIES CONSOLE.
The studio consists of one large acoustically perfect recording room, hard wood floors, completely isolated from all outside noise and from the two beautiful isolation rooms and the large, comfortable control room. Triple glass makes the isolation totally complete between each room.
The monitoring is a custom designed system by Dynaudio. Near fields, midfields, and the large up top monitors give the best mixing environment in Louisiana.
Keyboard Collection
Large Format Console- Harrison
Two Grand Pianos. A Perfect Yamaha C-6 Conservatory Grand and a 100 year old Chickering.
Norwegian hardwood floors and high ceilings. An acoustically amazing, large cutting room designed by the legendary John Storyk.
Who We Are
Award Winning Sound Engineering Professionals and Professional Musicians
Marc Hewitt
Lead Engineer
42 years of recording & producing experience!
Platinum Record award winning Marc Hewitt has resided in the New Orleans area for the past decades and has been involved in the music business since 1981. He has 40+ years recording and producing experience with Grammy winning artists worldwide with many different styles of music. He started his career working for a multimedia company producing soundtracks. From there, he began freelancing as a recording engineer and musician. Marc worked at Sea-Saint Recording Studio as an engineer from 1987 until 1990. He then opened his own major facility, Sound Services Recording Studios. On August 29, 2005, the devastating Hurricane Katrina brought 10 feet of water into the studio, destroying the building and equipment. Marc is currently working on various recording projects at Rabadash Studios. He has done several major releases since Katrina and has worked on projects in Australia as well as here in the States.
Here are a few artists Marc has worked with as the Sound Engineer and/or Producer and Musician:Aaron Neville, Art Neville, Allen Toussaint, Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Waylon Thibodeaux, Wardell Quezergue, Marva Wright, Eddie Bo, Wild Magnolias, Jean Knight, Eric Burden, Dr John, Garth Hudson (The Band), Rick Danko, Irene Sage, Brian Stoltz , Anders Osborne, Red Hot and Blues, Benny Turner, Capitol Records,Sammy Berfect, Atlantic Records, Davell Crawford, Russel Batiste, Sequel Records (England), Cyril Neville, Aim Records (Australia), Michelle Shocked, Marc Broussard, Sonny Landreth, Dixie Cups, Jeremy Davenport,The Subdudes, Omari Neville, Irma Thomas, Wayne Toups, Ingrid Lucia, Sunshine Productions (England), Sugar Pie DeSanto, Appaloosa Records (Italy), Wanda Rouzan, Dancing Cow Records (Denmark), Teddy Royal, Joker Records (Denmark), Rockin Dopsie, Timothea, Bill Solley & Kim Prevost, CoCo Robicheaux, Alligator Records, Terrance Simien, Mardi Gras Records, Tone Cool Records, Don Vappie, D.J. Jimi J, Monique D, Andy Forrest, Ruf Records (Germany) Dmitri Resnik, Leslie Smith, Jamil Sharif, Willie Tee, Racquel Turbinton, Kidd Jordan, Otis Grand, Andrew Eastmond, John Eastmond, Guitar Slim, Jr., Kippori Woods, Victor Sirker, Paula and the Pontiacs, Boondoggles, Isaacs Guns, Clay Alston, John Lisa, Jeff Spence, Rounder Records, David Torkanowski, Big Easy TV series, Jive Records, Mystikal, Jumpin' Johnny Sansone.
John Autin
President, Producer and Professional Musician
John Autin is one of the founding partners of Rabadash Records as well as Rabadash Studios. As a record producer and performing musician, John has worked in studios and on stage for over 4 decades. His passion IS producing music and playing jazz music. John has worked on hundreds of projects for New Orleans artists as well as musicians from all over the world who are looking for that New Orleans sound that John understands so well.
“I think more like a photographer, than a painter when I produce," says John.
"I work very hard to hear the beauty that's already there with each artist and then capture that beauty on the recording by using the best sound equipment and engineers at my disposal. The end goal is to shine up the recording so it’s the very best version of that artist. With Rabadash Studios I think I’ve created the most comfortable environment, with all the best gear, in a very peaceful neighborhood which all contributes to the amazing result for the artist. Other producers have their sound that they tend to plug their artists into, but that’s not me. If you listen to my different records, each one will have its own quite different character and sound."
Stephen Boye
Engineer, Songwriter, Studio Technician
In 2009, Stephen Patrick Boye attended Mediatech Institute in Austin, TX, at Willie Nelson's legendary Arlyn Studios where he received a Pro Tools Music certification.
In 2010, he began a lifelong friendship with local Austin musician Matt Wilson. That year, Matt hired Stephen as stage manager and project engineer for Matt Wilson Entertainment, and Stephen began his real-world education on the road with the Matt Wilson Band.
He has engineered and assisted in editing all of MWBs Youtube content for the past 10 years.
Stephen Patrick Boye is our second house engineer and onsite computer technician. He recently oversaw the upgrade from our Pro Tools Legacy HD platform to the more recent HDX platform. He has also integrated Universal Audios UAD platform into the Rabadash Studios signal flow.
Drawing on his experience as a songwriter, Stephen understands the importance of creating a comfortable and safe space for artists to realize their vision. His goal is to accentuate the artist's ideas without overproducing.
Owen Strain
Recording Engineer, Studio Technician, Instructor
Growing up in the New Orleans area, Music & Art took an early hold on Owen. Jazz, Blues, Funk, Reggae & Island Rhythms along w/ Country & Rock were formative powers in his life and helped guide him through many adverse situations. With 20 years of full-time immersion in Instrument Repair, Studio Design, Installation & Support in Commercial, Educational & Recreational environments as well as professional Audio Production & Music Performance experience spanning the coasts from NOLA, PNW and ATL Owen brings a wealth of cumulative technical knowledge and a passion for creativity & artistic expression.
Owen is currently overseeing the maintenance of Rabadash's vintage Harrison 32C Console, developing our Audio Production Education Program as well as serving as webmaster and maximizing studio operational efficiency.
Owen's body of work can be explored at odzend.com.
Michael Cooper
Assistant Engineer
Michael Cooper our assistant engineer is most notably recognized for his work with independent artists such as Luke Whitney, frontman for multi disciplinary artist Tobe Nwigwe from Houston, Texas. Michael branched out from early home production to study at an University level in his second home of Southeast Texas. Lamar State College Port Arthur, his sound engineering Alma Mater featured Michael in their ad campaign which airs to this day in Beaumont, Port Arthur, and Orange Texas. The exposure lead to his success in broadcast engineering in Greater Louisiana running sound for Louisiana’s Game of the week, produced by Louisiana Sports Network and Fox Sports, sponsored by the Saints. After a successful season Michael furthered his studio path to work on an SSL 4000 console at the former home of Tech N9ne through the former Chapman Recording Studio, now Simpson Sound Lab in Kansas City. The intern position lead him to work with local acts promoting his solo work as a video model and podcast host all self produced from an unassuming location, the project studio of his studio apartment. During the latter half of his time completing an education studies degree through Avila University Michael concluded that he would marry the two studies to assist in educating science technology, engineering, arts, and math.
Featured Recording Artist of the Month
Serabee
New Single "Bayou Baby" Out NOW!
This prodigal daughter returns home to embrace her roots to record what she calls “the front porch songs” at Rabadash Studios.
Hummingbird Tea will be released on October 14, produced by Serabee and John Autin of Rabadash Records with distribution through Amped. Special mixing production appearances by Marc Hewitt (Allen Toussaint), Zach Allen (Kingfish/Keb’ Mo’), and Gary Katz (Steely Dan) give that shimmer to Serabee’s incredible songs.
Hummingbird Tea has been in the works for a couple of years with writing and recording, and it’s well worth the wait. The album consists of 14 original songs ranging from building grooves to stripped-down tear-jerkers dripping with soul from end to end.
Equipment
We have a huge collection of modern digital and vintage analog equipment for all your needs!
Microphones
Large collection of vintage and modern
- Neumann M49 B Tube
- 4 Nuemann U87 - old version
- Neumann U47 fet
- AKG 451 E
- 2 AKG 451
- 2 AKG 414w/C12 caps
- AKG 160 Pencil mic
- 2 Rode NTV Tube (Telefunken)
- Audio Technica 4060 Tube (Telefunken)
- Shure KSM 44
- Shure KSM 322
- Shure SM58 Dynamic mics
- Groove Tube Large Diaphragm (Telefunken) Condensor
- Groove Tube Small Diaphragm (Telefunken) Condensor
- 4 Oktava M012 mics
- 2 Oktava 319 mics
- 2 Oktava 219 mics
- 2 KM84 w/ 83 caps
- 4 MD421
- 2 RE20
Keyboards
Great Selection of Vintage Instruments
- Yamaha C6 Conservatory Concert Grand
- 100 year old Chickering Grand Piano
- Fender Rhodes
- Wurtitzer Electric Piano
- Hohner Clavinet D6
- RMI Electric Piano
- Yamaha Cp 70 b
- Yamaha MODX8 88key Synth
- Minimoog Voyager Synth
Organ
Hammond B3 Organ
We have a meticulously maintained Hammond B3 that is the best one that you will ever play!
- Full bass pedals
- 122RV Leslie
- Hammond Tone Cabinet
- Custom Knee Switch for Leslie
Addition Selection of Keyboards
- RMI Electric Piano
- Yamaha MOX
- KORG Trident
- Roland VK8
- Yamaha P155
- Motion Sound Leslie
Large Selection of Drums, Guitars & Amplifiers
- Vintage Ludwig Drum Kit
- Zildjian and Paiste Cymbals
- LP Congos and Bongos
- 26 different tube guitar amplifiers
- Nylon and steel string acoustic guitars
- Upright Bass
- Assorted Percussion Instruments
Our Recording Artists
New Orleans has some of the best artists in the world! And....they record HERE!
Big Daddy O
Lousiana/Mississippi Roadhouse Blues
At 6’ 6, Big Daddy 'O' has an engaging presence on stage which supports an even larger voice that pulsates from a powerful shout down to a beautiful whisper. For more than 30 years, Big Daddy ‘O’ has been playing in roadhouses and bars in Louisiana & Mississippi, as well as nationally.
Michael O'Hara
4 time Grammy nominee
Michael has worked with many of the greats, including legendary New Orleans musician, Allen Toussaint and too many more to list here. You can catch Michael at gigs all around the New Orleans area. His new CD "It's My Turn" showcases his range. He feels that God is using him more now than at any other time to get this music out in the world. Listen to some cuts from It's My Turn and Buy his CD Here!
John Autin
New Orleans Piano Man
John has loved music from an early age, taking piano lessons and playing trumpet throughout his childhood, and has a Masters Degree in Jazz from New Orleans Univ.
John lights up the room with a bright smile and a fun show that spans across many genres. You can catch him most of his nights performing at clubs, casinos, convention events, weddings, and private parties, and spending days at Rabadash Recording Studios. Buy his CDs here.
Tom McDermott & Chloe Feoranzo
Zeppelins Made to Order
Tom is known for his eclecticism, and is just about the only New Orleans pianist to stretch from the music of legend Louis Gottschalk to the funky New Orleans piano of today. He has a great love of Brazilian music, European classical music, Duke Ellington and more.
Chloe Feoranzo is a young & super talented clarinet and saxophonist who has appeared on various shows like, The Late Show with David Letterman, and tours with Postmodern Jukebox.
Waylon Thibodeaux
Louisiana's Rockin Fiddler
Born in Louisiana’s ‘Bayou Country’ just a few miles southwest of New Orleans, this talented, self-taught Cajun musician has gained a notable reputation as one of Louisiana’s best known recording artists. His fiddling talents have led him to play many well known festivals, clubs and other special events throughout the world.
John Lisi
New Orleans slammin' funky blues
John shares a birthday with Jimmy Page and spent his Junior high & high school years absorbing Hendrix and Muddy Waters. Lisi began to be recognized as an important musician in the New Orleans world with his 2002 release Blues For Chloe. The blues world officially took notice in 2009, when he received the Slim Harpo Blues Pioneer Award (along with no less than Dr. John and Alvin Batiste).
Amanda Walker
"Playing Piano is like breathing to me"
Amanda Walker is a vibrant presence on New Orleans’ impressive music scene. Since 2006, the effervescent pianist/singer/songwriter has been lighting up bars, festivals, clubs, restaurants and other venues around the city with music that ranges from an all-request catalog. Walker can perform just about anything on demand, from Pink Floyd and Patsy Cline to her own original compositions. Walker began playing piano at a young age in Dexter, Missouri, a rural town between Memphis and St. Louis.
Jeff Spence
Rockin' Louisiana Man
Festive is the best word to describe an evening of Louisiana music and entertainment with Jeff Spence. He is a performer who combines world-class piano skills, soulful vocals and fun into one big party. His "Louisiana Music Show" features many musical styles as Dixieland, where Jeff has marched the crowd around the room with his trombone to "Saints". Zydeco and Cajun music are popular when Jeff plays the squeezebox and audience members play the washboard. But the strong point of his show is the bringing of New Orleans jazz and blues into one special event.
